With spring finally here, farmers’ markets are soon-to-be filling up with an abundance of ripe produce. Why not experiment by adding fresh fruit, herbs and vegetables to your cocktail? Unexpected ingredients such as snap peas can bring a savory twist, while mint leaves refresh and Valencia oranges add a bit of extra sweetness to elevate the taste of Amaro Lucano, an Italian liqueur made with over 30 herbs and essential oils.
Checkout these fresh, seasonal farmers’ market-inspired cocktail and try them at home!
The Valencia
1 oz. of Amaro Lucano
2 oz. Usquaebach Reserve blended Scotch whiskey
½ oz. fresh Valencia orange juice
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker, shake with ice, strain into a coupe, and garnish with a Valencia orange twist.
* Unlike most other citrus varieties which peak in the winter, Valencia oranges reach their prime between March and June.
Amaro Lucano Julep
2 oz. Amaro Lucano
1 oz. Diplomatico rum
¼ oz. honey syrup (equal parts honey and hot water)
8-10 fresh mint leaves
Muddle fresh mint leaves in honey syrup, add Amaro Lucano and rum, and fill glass with crushed ice. Garnish with more fresh mint (optional).
Oh Snap
2 oz. London No. 1 gin
½ oz. Amaro Lucano
½ oz. lime juice
½ oz. simple syrup
5 sugar snap peas
Thyme sprig (optional)
Muddle snap peas and thyme with simple syrup in a shaker, add ice, gin, lime juice, and Amaro Lucano, shake, and strain over ice.